Waste management system

Abstract

A waste management system and method of use. The waste management system includes a waste transport device and a waste collection device. The waste transport device includes a generally tubular body, a distal end section configured for disposition and maintenance in a patient's rectum, and a proximal end section including a first connector biased in a sealed position. The waste collection device includes a second connector. The first connector is transitioned to an unsealed position when the first connector is secured to the second connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of using a waste management system, comprising:
 providing a waste transport device, including a generally tubular body and a proximal end section including a first connector biased in a sealed position, the first connector including a valve sealing a proximal opening of the proximal end section in the sealed position; 
 providing a waste collection device including a second connector; 
 inserting a distal end section of the waste transport device into a patient's rectum; 
 securing the first connector to the second connector; and 
 transitioning the first connector to an unsealed position concurrent with the securing to establish fluid communication between the waste transport device and the waste collection device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a locking protrusion member and the second connector includes a locking receiving member, the securing including bringing the first connector and the second connector together until the locking protrusion member is received in the locking receiving member. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve of the first connector includes a ball valve, the transitioning including rotation of the ball valve. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second connector includes an insertion member, the transitioning including penetrating the valve of the first connector with the insertion member. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is biased in a sealed position, wherein securing the first connector to the second connector transitions the second connector to an unsealed position. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and second connector together provide a positive connection indicator, wherein the securing includes receiving an indication from the positive connection indicator to verify that the first connector is secured to the second connector. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the positive connection indicator is one or more of a visual indicator, a tactile indicator, and an audible indicator. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a first slidable member with a first aperture, and the second connector includes a second slidable member with a second aperture, the securing including aligning the first aperture with the second aperture. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein an opening of the waste collection device is covered by the second slidable member prior to the first connector being secured to the second connector. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the transitioning includes sliding the first slidable member and the second slidable member to align the first aperture and the second aperture with the opening of the waste collection device. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a flexible tube biased in a twisted position to seal the proximal opening of the proximal end section in the sealed position, the transitioning including rotating the first connector with respect to the second connector. 
     
     
       12. A method of using a waste management system, comprising:
 providing a waste transport device, including a generally tubular body and a proximal end section including a first connector biased in a sealed position, the first connector including a first slidable member with a first aperture; 
 providing a waste collection device including a second connector having a second slidable member with a second aperture; 
 inserting a distal end section of the waste transport device into a patient's rectum; 
 securing the first connector to the second connector, including aligning the first aperture with the second aperture; and 
 transitioning the first connector to an unsealed position to establish fluid communication between the waste transport device and the waste collection device. 
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein an opening of the waste collection device is covered by the second slidable member prior to the first connector being secured to the second connector. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the transitioning includes sliding the first slidable member and the second slidable member to align the first aperture and the second aperture with the opening of the waste collection device.